Asbury Park, Seaside Heights Close Beaches and Boardwalks

By MAUREEN BERZOK

March 27, 2020 at 9:25 AM

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Credits: City of Asbury Park

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By MAUREEN BERZOK

March 27, 2020 at 9:25 AM

ASBURY PARK/SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ - John Moor, the Mayor of Asbury Park has closed the boardwalk today due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 infection. There will still be several points of open access to the beach, but the boardwalk will not be open for walking or congregating. Earlier this week, Dr. Anthony Vaz, the Mayor of Seaside Heights, closed the ocean and bay beaches to the public and discouraged owners of summer homes to remain in their primary residences. Amusements and non-essential businesses are closed on the boardwalk at Seaside.

Here is the message from John Moor, the Mayor of Asbury Park:

"Effective immediately, Asbury Park Boardwalk will be closed to the public until further notice to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Asbury Park Beaches will remain open for now, but are subject to closure should social distancing guidelines not be followed. Access across the boardwalk to the beach will be available at First, Third and Sunset Avenues. Access to the beach will also be available at Deal Lake Drive.

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Residents are encouraged to still spend time outside — take walks around your neighborhood, ride bikes, garden, and play and exercise in your own yards.

“In our continued effort to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors, we are taking the necessary step of closing the Asbury Park Boardwalk to the public,” said Mayor John Moor, “As nearby beaches and boardwalks close, we are seeing an increase in visitors and traffic on the boardwalk – making it impossible to ensure appropriate social distancing.”

“We are vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 public health crisis and plan to open the AP Boardwalk as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, “Our number one priority is to keep our community safe by slowing the spread of the virus.”

City Council urges residents to follow Governor Murphy’s Stay at Home Executive Order and to continue to practice safe social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others. Residents may still leave their homes to head to the grocery store, seek medical care, visit close family or someone you have a close personal relationship with (such as a romantic partner), report to work, or go outside for exercise.

Here is the message from Christopher Vaz, borough Administrator of Seaside Heights:
“In support of Governor Phil Murphy’s “stay home” executive orders and to further protect our public employees and residents I have instructed the borough administrator to lock the beach crossover gates until further notice,” said Mayor Vaz. “I anticipate that as the weather improves at the end of this week and beyond, and we start experiencing more moderate and warm temperatures people will be tempted to get in their cars and cross the bridge onto the barrier island. Closing the beaches is intended to serve as a disincentive for people to violate the Governor’s executive orders and his very strong public comments that directs all of us to stay home. If you are from out of town please walk and exercise in your own neighborhoods. If you have a summer home in Seaside Heights, please stay at your primary home wherever that may be,” added Vaz.

Seaside Heights Emergency Management Coordinator, Erik Hershey, added the following remarks to Mayor Vaz’s order, “Like most communities we are here to serve you, but our resources are limited. Our police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and front office employees are not immune from coronavirus. Therefore, it is necessary that we to take appropriate steps to minimize contact with the public so that our front line personnel are not in harm’s way. So, please stay clear of the beach. The amusements and non-essential businesses on the boardwalk are closed. If you are a year-round Seaside Heights resident or you live locally on the barrier island and decide to pick up food, please do what you have to do as quickly as possible and return home. That is the unfortunate but necessary statement we are making today, at this critical point in time during the country’s efforts to flatten the curve.”

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